tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26666124.post114885226173365227..comments2015-03-31T11:11:45.433-04:00Comments on Shrink Rap: Trees In A ForestDinahnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26666124.post-1149104713134918392006-05-31T15:45:00.000-04:002006-05-31T15:45:00.000-04:00Whoops. Here's that URL as a linkWhoops. Here's that URL as a <A HREF="http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/05/31/convicted_killer_seeks_sex_change_operation/" REL="nofollow">link</A>Murky Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13126526557502511224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26666124.post-1149104659512710192006-05-31T15:44:00.000-04:002006-05-31T15:44:00.000-04:00Is this grist for your mill? Pretty far out, if yo...Is this grist for your mill? Pretty far out, if you ask me and the news room editors.<BR/>http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/05/31/convicted_killer_seeks_sex_change_operation/Murky Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13126526557502511224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26666124.post-1148867534687376342006-05-28T21:52:00.000-04:002006-05-28T21:52:00.000-04:00Here is a nice summary of the state-of-the-art in ...Here is a nice summary of the state-of-the-art in control unit research:<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/200/301/csc-scc/research_report-e/no085/er85.pdf" REL="nofollow">The Psychological Effects of 60 Days in Administrative Segregation</A><BR/><BR/>In particular, read the section in the introduction on methodologic shortcomings.ClinkShrinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13316134491751195651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26666124.post-1148864921094970832006-05-28T21:08:00.000-04:002006-05-28T21:08:00.000-04:00Great comment. Considering how much money is spent...Great comment. Considering how much money is spent in litigation over conditions-of-confinement cases (primarily control unit prisons or SuperMax facilities) this should be a hot area of research. Alas, it is not. There is very little good evidence that longterm segregation causes mental deterioration. Although people have speculated about "SHU" (Special Housing Unit) syndrome, this is an unproven theoretical construct. There is evidence that increasing levels of security are associated with higher rates of pathology, but of course association does not prove cause and effect.<BR/><BR/>There was a nice little series of four articles in the British Journal of Psychiatry back in the 1970's that looked at various measures of psychological functioning in inmates with varying lengths of incarceration. They found no deterioration in social attitudes or cognitive status but some decrease in levels of hostility. I'm blanking on the author but I think it was Barrington.ClinkShrinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13316134491751195651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26666124.post-1148863574353356612006-05-28T20:46:00.000-04:002006-05-28T20:46:00.000-04:00Is there anything longitudinal, or distinguishing ...Is there anything longitudinal, or distinguishing cohorts according to how much time an inmate has spent inside? I imagine jail as likely to be crazy-making. Actually, I'd be especially curious about people in solitary before and after. It startled me that Moussaoui was sentenced to life in solitary given that he wasn't convicted of killing anybody or a violent offense. I have no idea how common a punishment it is, but suddenly it seems more common than I thought.Murky Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13126526557502511224noreply@blogger.com